Paxton fire chief wants to drop Spencer Rescue

PAXTON — Fire Chief Jay Conte recommended Monday night that the town not renew its contract for ambulance service with Spencer Rescue, which the Board of Selectmen took under advisement until next Monday.

In other business, with little discussion and no public comment, the board also approved a liquor license for Paxton Marketplace, which has had a beer and wine license for seven years.

In his recommendation about the ambulance service, Chief Conte said, "Although the relationship has remained strong for the better part of six years … there have been many issues in the past 10 months that have made the working relationship harder and has put EMS coverage in jeopardy for the town of Paxton." The recommendation was co-sponsored by Town Administrator Carol E. Riches.

Selectman John F. Malone, the chairman, and Selectman Peter Bogren Jr. said they would meet during the week separately with the chief and the administrator in preparation for making a decision next Monday.

Selectman Julia N. Pingitore, the third member of the board, recused herself because her husband, Michael, is a member of the fire department.

Spencer Rescue is a private organization that also provides service to Spencer. Its contract with Paxton, which expired June 30, calls for advance life support services from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and backup from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

In response to the chief's recommendation, Gary Suter, executive director of Spencer Rescue, said he had been assured the contract would be renewed and was "blindsided" when he received an email Friday from Chief Conte.

"I felt like I had been hit between the eyes with a 2-by-4." He added that he was later shocked by an "obscenity-laden" email from the chief.

During the discussion, there were two references to problems — one involving a problem with a Spencer rescue worker, the other a quarrel over which department makes decisions on responses.

Mr. Suter assured the board that there would be no interruption of services.